A FEW NEW LAYOUTS...

Wow, where do I begin? I can't believe I haven't posted to the blog since early November. Life has a way of really throwing you some major hiccups. Let me back up just a bit. On November 8, 2009, my husband came home and told me he had just lost his job. The job he had for the last 12 years! They didn't offer a him a severance package or extended our health care benefits, it was literally, "thanks for your service" and a hand shake. Being so close to the holidays, Woody and I tried our best to hold life together. We prayed, updated resumes and took odd jobs. The enormous generosity of friends, family and complete strangers was overwhelming and totally unexpected =) By early January 2010, my hubby had found employment with a nice company and begun working again. Gods grace is all sufficient!

If employment issues weren't enough stress, the state of Virginia has experienced one of the coldest, snowiest winters since 1942. Our boys actually didn't have a regular day of school for the first 2 weeks of February! While I did enjoy playing in the snow with the kids and all the fabulous picture opportunities a snow day brings, being employed part-time (me) I don't get paid days off. At the same time, my beloved iMac completely stopped working and our downstairs heating unit seised putting out heat - ugh! Once again, financial stresses loomed overhead.

I truly believe that this difficult time in our family's life has made each of us stronger. We have all learned the TRUE value of a dollar and have actually enjoyed finding ways to make that buck go farther. God's ways never cease to amaze me!!

I did manage to muster up some of my lost mojo, and used it to put together the following two layouts.

"A Taste of Winter"
Matthew, February 2010

"Dream Summer!"
Disney Vacation, 2008

I promise to try and stay on top of the posts and bring you all some more fun layouts. Thanks for taking a moment to look at my work!

~ New Sketch @ Let's Scrap ~

Okay, I'm a bit behind the 8 ball this week. I've been running here, there and everywhere! All that aside, Let's Scrap has a new sketch posted.

This is the layout I created based on the above sketch.
'Waves of Fun in the Sun'

Let's Scrap has a great sponsor this week, GCD. Their prize package features papers and embellishments from their Artsy Urban collection - gorgeous stuff! So be sure to upload your creations into the Let's Scrap gallery by Wed. Nov. 11. Also, be sure to tag your work with 'ls125'.

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Just a reminder:
I have created a new scrapbook network - Art From The Heart. Please click on over, I'd love to have you join me there!
Art From The Heart

God Bless & Happy Creating!

New Site - 'ART FROM THE HEART'

I've decided to start my own scrapbook network.
Art From The Heart
- a friendly place to come and be inspired, share your creations and enjoy chit chatting with fellow scrapbook lovers. Art From The Heart features challenges, sketches, blog hops, weekend crops and contests.

We are currently holding a 'Nature Challenge' and would love to have you come and join the fun! A hugh embellishment RAK will be awarded to one lucky winner.

God Bless & Happy Creating!

~ New Week, New Sketch...

...@ 52 Sketches 52 Weeks.
This weeks sponsor is Shabby Chic Memories. Boy, have they put together an awesome giveaway!! So grab the sketch and let those creative juices flow, cause you don't want to miss this opportunity!

Here is what I created with the sketch, plus a few detail shots:
'Every Step Together'

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Be sure to upload your layouts to the
52 Sketches 52 Weeks gallery and tag with Sketch #44.
God Bless & Happy Creating!

~ DT Challenge @ Let's Scrap ~

If you’re anything like me, you absolutely adore the rich earth tones of fall, the crisp whites of winter, the brilliant pastels of spring and the bold colors of summer. Well for this weeks challenge we are going to focus on the colors of nature. I want you to create a layout – using any Let’s Scrap sketch – with only nature photos. There should be no people in your pictures, just the gorgeous outdoors. Layout size and sketch are totally your choice.
Here are a few layouts I’ve made:



Please upload your art into the gallery and tag with ‘challenge22’ + your sketch #.
One lucky winner will be chosen from the uploaded photos on Friday, November 6. I will be sending that winner this huge embellishment prize pack.

God Bless & Happy Creating!

A LOOK BACK...

A few days ago I decided to organize the tons of photo cd's I have stored in a large box. As I began sifting through them I was over come with memories and moments long past. It really hit home when I began looking @ these photos taken just 5 years ago. Where do the days go? My oldest will be leaving for college this summer, my next to oldest will be getting his license this year and my third child will begin middle school next year. WOW, life really does past you by if you're not careful!
A Look Back @ '04

I used the November sketch by Karen Cole. The sketch can be found in the November issue of Scrapbook Inspirations magazine.

I used Glimmer Mist 'Denim' on the piece of yellow pattern paper - to help give dimension and texture.


God Bless & Happy Creating!

Love This Magazine!

Okay, I may just be the last person on earth to find this, but wow am I glad I did -
Scrapbook Inspirations magazine.

It is published in the UK but I found it my local Barnes and Noble.
This magazine is jam - literally - jam packed with layout after layout. It's right there on the cover of the October issue, "271 ideas for original projects" - that averages out to be approximately 3.4 layouts/cards/alterables per page! They also have a 'sketch' for each issue, which the entire design team works with...loads of inspiration gals. Take a look @ November's sketch by Karen Cole - fun stuff!

Don't panic if you can't find it in your local sb store or book store because their blog is equally as good. Use the above link to check it out for yourself. Let me know whatcha think.
God Bless & Happy Creating!

My Front Porch View

The western sky was truly breathtaking this evening. I love it when God colors the sky with His radiance.
God Bless & Happy Creating!